ddices saidNot a huge Harpr supporter, but that website is very unfair.

The website is rather a la US-polarizing-hysteria.

I'm fond of saying Canadians have a curious un-doing way of doing things. I think Mr Harper realizes this and has seen how no party is immune from going down in flames, as Canadians have rather long memories and exercise those skills in the voting booth.

It's true. The Canada I loved growing up isn't the same anymore, as we had a left wing government for a long time that gave us gay marriage among other things . Lots of people hate the current right wing government in power and are aware of the disturbing things they do on a daily basis. No government has been taken to court more the current one. But the general population is complacent and doesn't pay attention to more then sensational headlines and sound bites which this government is great at as they control most of the mainstream media. People don.t read the the story on the 4th page of the paper that gives the full story and the facts. Really depressing when you get older and realize that the a lot of people are dumb and easily fooled with daily propoganda and spin pieces,,,,,but then you understand how bush got elected and even how hitler did. The only comfort is history repeats itself and what goes down must come up.

ac416 saidIt's true. The Canada I loved growing up isn't the same anymore, as we had a left wing government for a long time that gave us gay marriage among other things . Lots of people hate the current right wing government in power and are aware of the disturbing things they do on a daily basis. No government has been taken to court more the current one. But the general population is complacent and doesn't pay attention to more then sensational headlines and sound bites which this government is great at as they control most of the mainstream media. People don.t read the the story on the 4th page of the paper that gives the full story and the facts. Really depressing when you get older and realize that the a lot of people are dumb and easily fooled with daily propoganda and spin pieces,,,,,but then you understand how bush got elected and even how hitler did. The only comfort is history repeats itself and what goes down must come up.

This is especially true considering how Canadians have such a stunning example of what not to do, right here in your southern border.

At this time, I think it a good idea to remember that Mr Harper is considerably further Left than Obama.

He's committed to Universal Healthcare and is increasing funding by 6% every year til at least 2016, at which point he wants to tie increases to match productivity and inflation, with a minimum requirement of increases to funding at 3% a year if the economy flounders.

During Cretien's reign, I lost my career of 23 years due to outsourcing to overseas. I applied for EI, having contributed to it for 30 years, with my various employers matching my contributions. This came close to 25 thousand dollars.

They gave me $8,000 over several months then said Buh-bye.

A couple of years later Harper got in and eventually extended EI payments by at least another 12 months. It was, however, too late for my claim and by then I'd found work.

meninlove said At this time, I think it a good idea to remember that Mr Harper is considerably further Left than Obama.

He's committed to Universal Healthcare and is increasing funding by 6% every year til at least 2016, at which point he wants to tie increases to match productivity and inflation, with a minimum requirement of increases to funding at 3% a year if the economy flounders.

There'll be an election before then.

This is true.

American conservatives are a weird breed.

Most conservatives in Canada, Israel and elsewhere for the most part embrace basic concepts like universa healthcare, equality for all citizens and basic environmental protections.

In the US, most conservatives deny climate change exists, think evolution is a hoax and vilify gays and lesbians.

When I tell Republicans I meet that in Israel, gays can serve in the military, enjoy basic protections and have almost achieved marriage equality, their heads explode. They don't say anything as unqualified support for Israel is also a hallmark of Republican policy.

In Israel I am considered sort of center right but here in the US, without changing any of my political opinions, I am a fringe leftist, apparently.

beneful1 saidand unfortunately we don't have anyone to put up against him

Which is how he got in.

And even when we do get someone good, the conservatives spend huge amounts on attack ads which are hard to compete against. Bob Rae hasn't even confirmed running for Liberal leader but they already have started the attack ads. Michael Ignateff wasn't the best leader but as an unknown went into the race having to compete with the attack ads that already gave the public a wrong impression of him. Dirty Attacks ads are so not Canadian, or at least they never use to be.

beneful1 saidand unfortunately we don't have anyone to put up against him

Which is how he got in.

And even when we do get someone good, the conservatives spend huge amounts on attack ads which are hard to compete against. Bob Rae hasn't even confirmed running for Liberal leader but they already have started the attack ads. Michael Ignateff wasn't the best leader but as an unknown went into the race having to compete with the attack ads that already gave the public a wrong impression of him. Dirty Attacks ads are so not Canadian, or at least they never use to be.

Look, I used to slog for the left-wing NDP back in the '72 election with my dad when I was a kid. I grew up in a politically aware family and after 40 years I've learned that political parties and leaders evolve, usually in alignment with the prevailing winds. That's why someone could say "Harper is more left wing than Obama". It's all relative to the underlying mood, as Haaretz noted.

I'm not stressing about Canada becoming some US-style Republican state any time soon. The average Canadian is a natural "Democratic" constituency relative to the US and I don't see that changing any time soon, so all you left-wingers in the US can relax.

Ryan has been and always will be in love with me. He just doesn't know it yet. And, when he broke up with ScarJo, he was supposed to come to San Francisco, encounter me for the first time at Cafe International in the Haight, he would realize that I was the person with whom he was always in love with, turn gay, and we were supposed to live happily ever after.

But NOOOOOOOO! That Blake Lively couldn't keep her booger pullers off of Ryan, and now she's got him under a spell and is making him think that he's straight and that he likes her. That WITCH! She didn't even give Ryan the time to buy his ticket to San Francisco!

THIS is the most disturbing news to come of out Canada since the 1775 eruption of the Tseax River Cone.

Haaretz saidIn the US, most conservatives deny climate change exists, think evolution is a hoax and vilify gays and lesbians.

When I tell Republicans I meet that in Israel, gays can serve in the military, enjoy basic protections and have almost achieved marriage equality, their heads explode. They don't say anything as unqualified support for Israel is also a hallmark of Republican policy.

In Israel I am considered sort of center right but here in the US, without changing any of my political opinions, I am a fringe leftist, apparently.